Drive systems and hinged window assemblies incorporating the same

ABSTRACT

Hinged window drive systems and window assemblies incorporating them provide for a combination of powered or motorized operation in addition to manual operation using a hand crank, with the opportunity for a user to switch between motorized operation and manual operation as needed.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/121,979, filed Dec. 15, 2020, which is adivisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/624,860,filed Jun. 16, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,865,598, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/352,178 filed on Jun. 20, 2016, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

Drive systems and window assemblies incorporating the drive systems aredescribed herein and offer a combination of powered or motorizedoperation in addition to manual operation, with the opportunity for auser to switch between motorized operation and manual operation asneeded.

BACKGROUND

Hinged window assemblies, such as casement windows, awning windows,etc., include one or more movable sashes in a frame, wherein the movablesash or sashes can be rotated to open and close the window.

SUMMARY

The drive systems and window assemblies incorporating the drive systemsas described herein offer a combination of powered or motorizedoperation in addition to manual operation, with the opportunity for auser to switch between motorized operation and manual operation asneeded. The need for manual operation may arise, for example, if themotorized portion of the drive system becomes disabled.

In one or more embodiments, the drive systems described herein mayswitch between motorized or manual operation without requiring specificknowledge on the part of a user who may or may not have access toautomation control devices used to operate the motorized portion of thedrive system.

In one or more embodiments, the drive systems described herein mayinclude a linkage driver, driveshaft and output shaft of a motorapparatus, all of which are aligned along a common axis for rotationduring use such that the profile or size of the drive systems describedherein may be reduced as compared to other drive systems.

In a first aspect, one or more embodiments of a hinged window assemblyas described herein may include: a movable sash in a window frame,wherein the movable sash is attached to the window frame such that themovable sash can be rotated to open and close the movable sash in thewindow frame; a linkage connected to the window frame and the movablesash; and a drive system. The drive system is operably connected to thelinkage, wherein the drive system and the linkage are configured torotate the movable sash in the window frame, wherein the drive systemcomprises: a linkage driver fixedly mounted on a drive shaft, whereinthe drive shaft defines a shaft axis extending along a length of thedrive shaft, wherein rotating the drive shaft about the shaft axisrotates the linkage driver about the shaft axis, and wherein rotation ofthe linkage driver operates the linkage such that the movable sashrotates; a motor apparatus comprising an output shaft; a motor couplingapparatus operably connected to the drive shaft and the output shaft,wherein the motor coupling apparatus is configured to selectively coupleor decouple the output shaft and the drive shaft; a hand crank couplingapparatus operably connected to a hand crank gear, wherein rotation ofthe hand crank gear about the drive shaft axis rotates the drive shaftwhen the hand crank coupling apparatus is in a manual configuration inwhich the hand crank gear is operably connected to the drive shaft; anda hand crank apparatus configured to rotate about a crank axis, andwherein rotation of the hand crank apparatus about the crank axisrotates hand crank gear about the shaft axis when the hand crankapparatus engages the hand crank gear.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thefirst aspect, the hand crank coupling apparatus comprises motorizedconfiguration in which the hand crank gear is disconnected from thedrive shaft such that rotation of the hand crank gear about the shaftaxis does not rotate the drive shaft about the shaft axis. In one ormore embodiments, the hand crank coupling apparatus comprises a selectormechanism configured to move the hand crank gear in translation alongthe shaft axis when moving the hand crank coupling apparatus between themotorized configuration and the manual configuration. In one or moreembodiments, the motor coupling apparatus comprises a drive shaftcomponent fixedly connected to the drive shaft and an output shaftcomponent fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor apparatus,wherein the selector mechanism is configured to move the drive shaftcomponent in translation along the shaft axis when moving the hand crankcoupling apparatus between the motorized configuration and the manualconfiguration, wherein the drive shaft component engages the outputshaft component when the hand crank coupling apparatus is in themotorized configuration.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thefirst aspect, the hand crank gear comprises a bevel gear and wherein thehand crank apparatus comprises a driven bevel gear operably connected toa hand crank lever.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thefirst aspect, the linkage driver comprises a worm gear.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thefirst aspect, the linkage driver comprises a lead screw.

In a second aspect, one or more embodiments of a hinged window assemblyas described herein may include: a movable sash in a window frame,wherein the movable sash is attached to the window frame such that themovable sash can be rotated to open and close the movable sash in thewindow frame; a linkage connected to the window frame and the movablesash; and a drive system operably connected to the linkage, the drivesystem and the linkage configured to rotate the movable sash in thewindow frame. The drive system comprises: a linkage driver fixedlymounted on a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft defines a shaft axisextending along a length of the drive shaft, wherein rotating the driveshaft about the shaft axis rotates the linkage driver about the shaftaxis, and wherein rotation of the linkage driver operates the linkagesuch that the movable sash rotates; a motor apparatus comprising anoutput shaft; a motor coupling apparatus operably connected to the driveshaft and the output shaft, wherein the motor coupling apparatus isconfigured to selectively couple or decouple the output shaft and thedrive shaft; a hand crank gear fixedly attached to the drive shaft,wherein rotation of the hand crank gear about the drive shaft axisrotates the drive shaft; and a hand crank apparatus operably connectedto a drive gear, wherein the hand crank apparatus is movable between amanual configuration and a motorized configuration, wherein the drivegear engages the hand crank gear when the hand crank apparatus is in themanual configuration, and wherein the drive gear does not engage thehand crank gear when the hand crank apparatus is in the motorizedconfiguration, and further wherein rotation of a hand crank about a handcrank axis rotates the drive gear, the hand crank gear, the drive shaft,and the linkage driver when the hand crank apparatus is in the manualconfiguration.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thesecond aspect, the drive system further comprises an interlock switchoperably connected to the motor coupling apparatus, wherein theinterlock switch couples the output shaft of the motor apparatus and thedrive shaft only when the hand crank apparatus is in the motorizedconfiguration.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thesecond aspect, movement of the hand crank apparatus from the manualconfiguration to the motorized configuration moves the drive gear awayfrom the hand crank gear.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thesecond aspect, movement of the hand crank apparatus from the manualconfiguration to the motorized configuration moves the drive gear out ofengagement with the hand crank gear along the hand crank axis. In one ormore embodiments, movement of the hand crank apparatus from the manualconfiguration to the motorized configuration comprises rotating of thehand crank about a configuration axis, wherein the configuration axis isgenerally transverse to the hand crank axis.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thesecond aspect, the linkage driver comprises a worm gear.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thesecond aspect, the linkage driver comprises a lead screw.

In a third aspect, one or more embodiments of a hinged window assemblyas described herein may include: a movable sash in a window frame,wherein the movable sash is attached to the window frame such that themovable sash can be rotated to open and close the movable sash in thewindow frame; a linkage connected to the window frame and the movablesash; and a drive system operably connected to the linkage, wherein thedrive system and the linkage are configured to rotate the movable sashin the window frame. The drive system comprises: a linkage driverfixedly mounted on a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft defines ashaft axis extending along a length of the drive shaft, wherein rotatingthe drive shaft about the shaft axis rotates the linkage driver aboutthe shaft axis, and wherein rotation of the linkage driver operates thelinkage such that the movable sash rotates; a motor apparatus comprisingan output shaft; a motor coupling apparatus operably connected to thedrive shaft and the output shaft, wherein the motor coupling apparatusis configured to selectively couple or decouple the output shaft and thedrive shaft; a hand crank gear fixedly attached to the drive shaft,wherein rotation of the hand crank gear about the drive shaft axisrotates the drive shaft; a drive gear engaging the hand crank gear,wherein rotation of the hand crank gear about the shaft axis rotates thedrive gear; and a hand crank apparatus comprising a hand crank shaftoperably connected to the drive gear through a hand crank coupling,wherein the hand crank coupling is configured to selectively couple ordecouple the hand crank shaft and the drive gear, wherein rotation ofthe hand crank shaft when the hand crank coupling couples the hand crankshaft and the drive gear rotates the drive gear, the hand crank gear,the drive shaft, and the linkage driver.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thethird aspect, wherein the drive system further comprises an interlockswitch operably connected to the motor coupling apparatus, wherein themotor coupling apparatus couples the output shaft of the motor apparatusand the drive shaft only when the hand crank apparatus is in themotorized configuration as detected by the interlock switch. In one ormore embodiments, the interlock switch is operably connected to the handcrank coupling apparatus, wherein the hand crank coupling apparatuscouples the hand crank shaft and the drive gear only when the hand crankapparatus is in the manual configuration as detected by the interlockswitch. In one or more embodiments, movement of the hand crank apparatusfrom the manual configuration to the motorized configuration comprisesrotating a hand crank about a configuration axis, wherein theconfiguration axis is generally transverse to a hand crank axis aboutwhich the hand crank shaft and the drive gear rotate.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thethird aspect, the linkage driver comprises a worm gear.

In one or more embodiments of a hinged window assembly according to thethird aspect, the linkage driver comprises a lead screw.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” or “the” component mayinclude one or more of the components and equivalents thereof known tothose skilled in the art. Further, the term “and/or” means one or all ofthe listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listedelements.

It is noted that the term “comprises” and variations thereof do not havea limiting meaning where these terms appear in the accompanyingdescription. Moreover, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one ormore” are used interchangeably herein.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or everyimplementation of the hinged window assemblies and drive systemsdescribed herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the inventionwill become apparent and appreciated by reference to the followingDescription of Illustrative Embodiments and claims in view of theaccompanying figures of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a hingedwindow assembly incorporating one illustrative embodiment of a hingedwindow drive system as described herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of one illustrativeembodiment of a drive system as described herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of another illustrativeembodiment of a drive system as described herein, wherein the hingedwindow drive system is in a manual configuration.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the drive system of FIG. 3 , with thedrive system in a motorized configuration.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of another illustrativeembodiment of a drive system as described herein, wherein the drivesystem is in a manual configuration.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the drive system of FIG. 5 , with thedrive system in a motorized configuration.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a portion of another illustrativeembodiment of a drive system according to the present invention, whereinthe drive system is in a manual configuration.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the drive system of FIG. 7 , with thedrive system in a motorized configuration.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a portion of another illustrativeembodiment of a drive system as described herein.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of one illustrative embodiment of a controlunit that may be used in one or more embodiments of a drive system asdescribed herein.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of illustrative embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a parthereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and structural changes may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

The drive systems described herein may be used with a variety ofdifferent window assemblies where the window assemblies include amovable sash in a window frame, with the movable sash attached to thewindow frame such that the movable sash is rotated to open or close thewindow. Some examples of hinged window assemblies with which the hingedwindow drive systems described herein may be used include casementwindows, awning windows, French casement windows, hopper windows,tilt-turn windows, pivot windows, utility windows, skylights, roofwindows, etc.

One illustrative embodiment of a hinged window assembly is depicted inFIG. 1 and includes a movable sash 12 and a window frame 10, with themovable sash 12 being mounted for rotation about an axis, e.g., axis 11to open and close the window. The hinged window assembly may include oneor more lock mechanisms 14 mounted on the frame 10, with keepers 15mounted on the movable sash 12. The lock mechanisms 14 and keepers 15may be used to retain the movable sash 12 in a closed position. Thedepicted window assembly also includes a drive system 20 connected to alinkage 16, with the drive system 20 and linkage 16 cooperating torotate the movable sash 12 about axis 11 to open and close the window.In one or more embodiments, the axis 11 (and the movable sash 12) maymove laterally as the movable sash 12 rotates about the axis 11depending on the linkages used to connect the movable sash 12 to theframe 10 (as is known in, e.g., conventional casement windows, etc.).

The drive systems described herein may, in one or more embodiments,include a driveshaft used to operate a linkage connected to the movablesash, where the linkage is used to open and close the movable sash inthe window assembly. Rotation of the driveshaft may be achieved manuallyor with the use of a motor (e.g., an electric motor) with variousmechanisms and structures provided to select between manual rotation ofthe driveshaft and motorized rotation of the driveshaft. In one or moreembodiments where motorized operation is selected, a hand crank or othermanual operation structure used to manually rotate the driveshaft may bedisengaged or folded into a closed position.

One illustrative embodiment of a portion of a drive system that may beused in a hinged window assembly as described herein is depicted in FIG.2 . The drive system 20 depicted in FIG. 2 may be operably connected toa linkage (see, e.g., linkage 16 in FIG. 1 ), with the drive system 20and linkage configured to rotate a movable sash as described herein. Inthe depicted illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2 , the drive system 20includes a linkage driver 22 fixedly mounted on a driveshaft 24. Thedriveshaft 24 defines a shaft axis 21 that extends along a length of thedriveshaft 24. Rotation of the driveshaft 24 about the shaft axis 21may, in one or more embodiments, rotate the linkage driver 22 about theshaft axis 21. Further, rotation of the linkage driver 22 operates alinkage attached to a movable sash (see, e.g., the linkage 16 of FIG. 1) such that a movable sash attached to the linkage moves between an openand closed position.

The linkage drivers used in hinged window drive systems as describedherein may be in a variety of forms such as, e.g., worm gears, leadscrews, etc. Examples of some linkage drivers and/or linkages that maybe used to rotate a movable sash within a window may be found in, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,135 (Vetter); U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,758 (Vetter); U.S.Pat. No. 5,493,813 (Vetter et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,171(Piltingsrud); U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,858 (Vetter et al.); etc.

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 20 depicted in FIG. 2includes a motor apparatus 30 (including, e.g., an electric motor)having an output shaft 34 driven by the motor apparatus 30. The motorapparatus 30 may, in one or more embodiments, include gearing or otherpower transmission components used to transmit power from one or moremotors in the motor apparatus 30 to the output shaft 34. In the depictedillustrative embodiment, the output shaft 34 is aligned with thedriveshaft 24 and rotates about the shaft axis 21. It will, however, beunderstood that in one or more alternative embodiments, the output shaft34 of the motor apparatus 30 may or may not be aligned with thedriveshaft 24 and may rotate about an axis that is not collinear withthe shaft axis 21.

Another component of the illustrative embodiment of drive system 20depicted in FIG. 2 is a motor coupling apparatus 32 that is operablyconnected to the driveshaft 24 and the output shaft 34 of the motorapparatus 30. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the motorcoupling apparatus 32 includes an output shaft component 38 that isfixedly connected to the output shaft 34 of the motor apparatus 30 suchthat rotation of the output shaft 34 rotates the output shaft component38 about the shaft axis 21 in the depicted illustrative embodiment.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of motor coupling apparatus 32 alsoincludes a selective motor coupling 36 which may be used to selectivelyengage the output shaft component 38 with the driveshaft 24. In thedepicted illustrative embodiment, a drive shaft component 26 is fixedlycoupled to the driveshaft 24 such that rotation of the drive shaftcomponent 26 is transmitted to the driveshaft 24. In other words, themotor coupling apparatus 32 can be used to selectively couple ordecouple the output shaft 34 and the drive shaft 24 using the selectivemotor coupling 36 to connect or disconnect the drive shaft component 26and the output shaft component 38. The selective motor coupling 36 maybe provided in a variety of different forms including mechanical and/orelectrical elements. For example, in one or more embodiments theselective motor coupling 36 may be in the form of a magnetic clutch,electric clutch, mechanical clutch, fluid clutch, pinned joint, othertype of mechanical release, etc.

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 20 depicted in FIG. 2 alsoincludes a hand crank coupling apparatus 42 operably connected to a handcrank gear 40. Rotation of the hand crank gear 40 about the drive shaftaxis 21 rotates the driveshaft 24 when the hand crank coupling apparatus42 is in a manual configuration in which the hand crank gear 40 isoperably connected to the drive shaft 24. Connection of the hand crankgear 40 to the driveshaft 24 is achieved in the illustrative embodimentusing a hand crank gear component 48 and a selective crank coupling 46.

The selective crank coupling 46 may be used to selectively engage thehand crank gear component 48 with the drive shaft component 26. In otherwords, the hand crank coupling apparatus 42 can be used to selectivelycouple or decouple the hand crank gear 40 and the drive shaft 24 usingthe selective crank coupling 46 to connect or disconnect the drive shaftcomponent 26 and the hand crank gear component 48. The selective crankcoupling 46 may be provided in a variety of different forms includingmechanical and/or electrical elements. For example, in one or moreembodiments the selective crank coupling 46 may be in the form of amagnetic clutch, mechanical release, spring pin, electric clutch, etc.

In the illustrative embodiment of drive system 20 depicted in FIG. 2 ,the hand crank coupling apparatus 42 may, in one or more embodiments,have a motorized configuration in which the hand crank gear 40 isdisconnected from the driveshaft 24 such that rotation of the hand crankgear 40 about the shaft axis 21 does not rotate the driveshaft 24 aboutthe shaft axis 21. In other words, the hand crank coupling apparatus 42,when in the motorized configuration, allows for rotation of the handcrank gear 40 relative to the driveshaft 24 such that the motorapparatus 30 can be used to rotate the driveshaft 24 about the shaftaxis 21 to rotate the linkage driver 22 without rotating the hand crankgear 40, thereby operating a linkage to move a movable sash in a windowas described herein.

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 20 depicted in FIG. 2 alsoincludes a hand crank apparatus 50 configured to rotate about a crankaxis 51 when the hand crank apparatus 42 is in a manual configurationfor manual operation of the drive system 20 to open and close a movablesash connected to the drive system through a linkage as describedherein.

In one or more embodiments, rotation of the hand crank apparatus 50about the crank axis 51 rotates the hand crank gear 40 about the shaftaxis 21 when the hand crank apparatus 50 engages the hand crank gear 40and the hand crank coupling apparatus 42 is in a manual configuration.In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the hand crank apparatus 50engages the hand crank gear 40 using a driven gear 54 which, in thedepicted illustrative embodiment, rotates about crank axis 51. Althoughthe hand crank gear 40 and driven gear 54 in the depicted illustrativeembodiment of drive system 20 are in the form of bevel gears, it shouldbe understood that in one or more alternative embodiments other powertransmission components may be used to manually rotate the driveshaft ofa drive system as described herein, such as, e.g., ring gears, wormgears, rack and pinion, etc.

A portion of one alternative illustrative embodiment of a drive system120 that may be used with a linkage to move a movable sash in a windowis depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The illustrative embodiment of drivesystem 120 includes a number of components in common with the drivesystem 20 depicted in FIG. 1 . For example, the drive system 120includes a linkage driver 122 mounted on a drive shaft 124 for rotationabout a shaft axis 121. The drive system 120 also includes a motorapparatus 130 having an output shaft 134 along with an output shaftcomponent 138 that is fixedly connected to the output shaft 134 of themotor apparatus 130 such that rotation of the output shaft 134 resultsin rotation of the output shaft component 138.

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 120 also includes a handcrank apparatus 150 (having, e.g., a hand crank 152) configured torotate about a crank axis 151. Rotation of the hand crank apparatus 150about the crank axis 151 rotates a drive gear 154 about the crank axis151. When the drive gear 154 rotates about the crank axis 151 and isengaged with the hand crank gear 140 (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 3 ),rotation of the drive shaft 124 and linkage driver 122 about the shaftaxis 121 can be obtained.

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 120 includes a hand crankcoupling apparatus 142 that is in the manual configuration in FIG. 3 inwhich the hand crank gear 140 is positioned such that it engages with adrive gear 154 of the hand crank apparatus 150. In that manualconfiguration, the drive shaft component 136 does not engage the outputshaft component 138. Furthermore, engagement between the drive gear 154and the hand crank gear 140 allows the hand crank apparatus 150including crank 152 to rotate to the drive gear 154 such that hand crankgear 140 rotates about the shaft axis 121. As discussed herein, rotationof the hand crank gear 140 when the hand crank coupling apparatus 142 isin the manual configuration as depicted in FIG. 3 causes correspondingrotation of the driveshaft 124 about the shaft axis 121 and, therefore,corresponding rotation of the linkage driver 122 about the shaft axis121.

The selector mechanism 128 functions to move the hand crank gear 140 intranslation along the drive shaft 124 and the shaft axis 121 to move thehand crank coupling apparatus 142 between a manual configuration (seenin, e.g., FIG. 3 ) and a motorized configuration (seen in, e.g., FIG. 4). In the motorized configuration, the hand crank gear 140 is positionedsuch that it is not engaging the drive gear 154 of the hand crankapparatus 150. As a result, the hand crank apparatus 150 cannot be usedto rotate to the hand crank gear 140 or the attached driveshaft 124 whenthe hand crank coupling apparatus 142 is in the motorized configurationas depicted in FIG. 4 .

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 120 also includes a driveshaft component 136 that is fixedly connected to the drive shaft 124such that rotation of the drive shaft component 136 about the shaft axis121 causes the drive shaft 124 to also rotate about the shaft axis 121.In the illustrative embodiment of drive system 120, the drive shaftcomponent 136 and the output shaft component 138 provide a motorcoupling apparatus, while a selector mechanism 128 moves the motorcoupling apparatus between a motorized configuration and a manualconfiguration (along with the hand crank coupling apparatus 142 asdiscussed above). In other words, in the illustrative embodiment ofdrive system 120 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the selector mechanism 128forms a part of both the hand crank coupling apparatus 142 and the motorcoupling apparatus.

The selector mechanism 128 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment,configured to selectively move the drive shaft component 136 intranslation along the drive shaft 124 and the shaft axis 121 such thatthe drive shaft component 136 engages the output shaft component 138. Inparticular, the drive shaft component 136 is shown in FIG. 3 (which maybe in the form of an externally splined member) in a position in whichit is not engaged with the output shaft component 138 (which may includean internal splined cavity configured to receive the externally splineddrive shaft component 136). Although the drive shaft component 136 is,in the depicted illustrative embodiment, engaged with the output shaftcomponent 138 in a manner in which the drive shaft component 136 iscontained within the output shaft component 138 such that it is notvisible in FIG. 4 , such an arrangement is not required.

A portion of another illustrative embodiment of a drive system 220 thatmay be used to rotate a movable sash within a window frame is depictedin FIGS. 5 and 6 . In particular, the drive system 220 is depicted in amanual configuration in FIG. 5 and a motorized configuration in FIG. 6 .The drive system 220 includes a driveshaft 224 and linkage driver 222fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 224, with both components rotatingabout the shaft axis 221.

Also included in drive system 220 is a motor apparatus 230 having anoutput shaft 234. In the depicted embodiment, the output shaft 234 isaligned with the drive shaft 224 and also rotates about the shaft axis221, although as described herein, such an arrangement between theoutput shaft 234 and the drive shaft 224 is not required in drivesystems as described herein.

The illustrative embodiment of drive system 220 also includes a motorcoupling apparatus 232 operably connected to the drive shaft 224 and theoutput shaft 234. The motor coupling apparatus 232 is configured toselectively couple or decouple the output shaft 234 and the drive shaft224 (where the drive shaft 224 rotates or can be driven by the outputshaft 234 when the output shaft 234 and the drive shaft 224 are coupledby the motor coupling apparatus 232).

In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the motor coupling apparatus232 includes an output shaft component 238 fixedly attached to theoutput shaft 234 such that the output shaft component 238 rotates or isdriven by the output shaft 234 of the motor apparatus 230. Motorcoupling apparatus 232 also includes a selective motor coupling 236which may be used to selectively engage the output shaft component 238with the drive shaft 224. In particular, the selective motor coupling236 is fixedly attached to the drive shaft 224 and can be selectivelycoupled to the output shaft component 238 or vice versa. When theselective motor coupling 236 couples the drive shaft 224 and the outputshaft component 238, the motor apparatus 230 can be used to rotate thedriveshaft 224 about shaft axis 221. When the selective motor coupling236 couples the drive shaft 224 and the output shaft component 238, themotor apparatus 230 cannot be used to rotate the driveshaft 224 aboutshaft axis 221. For example, in one or more embodiments the selectivemotor coupling 236 may be in the form of a magnetic clutch, electricclutch, mechanical clutch, fluid clutch, pinned joint, other type ofmechanical release, etc.

The illustrative drive system 220 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 alsoincludes a hand crank gear 240 fixedly attached to the drive shaft 224such that rotation of the hand crank gear 240 about the drive shaft axisrotates the drive shaft 224.

In addition, the drive system 220 also includes a hand crank apparatus250 operably connected to a drive gear 254. The hand crank apparatus 250is movable between a manual configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 5 ) and amotorized configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 6 ). In the manualconfiguration, the drive gear 254 engages the hand crank gear 240. Whenthe hand crank apparatus 250 is in the manual configuration, rotation ofa hand crank 252 of the hand crank apparatus 250 about a hand crank axis251 rotates the drive gear 254, the hand crank gear 240, the drive shaft224, and the linkage driver 222.

When the hand crank apparatus 250 is in the motorized configuration ofthe illustrative embodiment of drive system 220, the drive gear 254 doesnot engage the hand crank gear 240. As a result, the hand crankapparatus 250 cannot rotate the hand crank gear 240 when the hand crankapparatus 250 is in the motorized configuration

In the illustrative embodiment of drive system 220, movement of the handcrank apparatus 250 from the manual configuration as seen in FIG. 5 tothe motorized configuration as seen in FIG. 6 moves the drive gear 254out of engagement with the hand crank gear 240. In one or moreembodiments, movement of the hand crank apparatus 250 from the manualconfiguration to the motorized configuration moves the drive gear 254away from the hand crank gear 240 along a hand crank axis 251 aboutwhich the drive gear 254 rotates when operated using the hand crankapparatus 250. In one or more embodiments, movement of the hand crankapparatus 250 from the manual configuration to the motorizedconfiguration includes rotating the hand crank 252 about a configurationaxis 261 which, in the views seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 , extends into thesheet on which FIGS. 5 and 6 are provided. In one or more embodiments,the configuration axis 261 may be generally transverse to the hand crankaxis 251, although such an arrangement is not required. Movement of thedrive gear 254 out of engagement with the hand crank gear 240 throughrotation of the hand crank 252 about configuration axis 261 may beachieved using, e.g., a cam or any other suitable mechanical apparatusthat causes drive gear 254 to move out of engagement with hand crankgear 240 such as, e.g., electrical engagement, lever action, etc.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of drive system 220 also includesan interlock switch 260 operably connected to the selective motorcoupling 236 of the motor coupling apparatus 232, with the interlockswitch 260 causing or allowing the output shaft 234 of the motorapparatus 230 to couple with the drive shaft 224 through the selectivemotor coupling 236 and the output shaft component 238 only when the handcrank apparatus 250 is in the manual configuration such that theinterlock switch 260 is tripped or triggered to indicate that the handcrank apparatus 250 is in the manual configuration. In one or moreembodiments, the interlock switch 260 may be in the form of e.g. amechanical switch (e.g., a plunger activated switch, etc.), a proximityswitch (e.g., a Hall effect sensor, magnetoresistive, inductive,capacitive, photoelectric, ultrasonic, magnetic reed switch, etc.).

In particular, in the depicted embodiment the position of hand crank 252relative to the interlock switch 260 is used to trip or trigger theinterlock switch 260 and provide an indication to the selective motorcoupling 236 that the hand crank apparatus 250 is in the motorizedconfiguration such that coupling between the motor apparatus 230 and thedrive shaft 224 can be effected. If the hand crank 252 of the hand crankapparatus 250 is not in a position to trip or trigger the interlockswitch 260, then selective motor coupling 236 cannot couple the outputshaft component 238 with the drive shaft 224 as described herein.

A portion of still another alternative illustrative embodiment of adrive system 320 is depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The illustrativeembodiment of drive system 320 includes a number of components in commonwith the other illustrative embodiments of drive systems describedherein. For example, the drive system 320 includes a linkage driver 322fixedly mounted on a drive shaft 324 for rotation about a shaft axis 321and movement of a movable sash in a window as described herein.

The drive system 320 also includes a motor apparatus 330 having anoutput shaft 334 along with an output shaft component 338 that isfixedly connected to the output shaft 334 of the motor apparatus 330such that rotation of the output shaft 334 results in rotation of theoutput shaft component 338. In the depicted embodiment, the output shaft334 is aligned with the drive shaft 324 and also rotates about the shaftaxis 321, although as described herein, such an arrangement between theoutput shaft 334 and the drive shaft 324 is not required in drivesystems as described herein.

This illustrative embodiment of drive system 320 also includes a motorcoupling apparatus 332 operably connected to the drive shaft 324 and theoutput shaft 334. The motor coupling apparatus 332 is configured toselectively couple or decouple the output shaft 334 and the drive shaft324 (where the drive shaft 324 rotates or can be driven by the outputshaft 334 when the output shaft 334 and the drive shaft 324 are coupledby the motor coupling apparatus 332). In the depicted illustrativeembodiment, the motor coupling apparatus 332 includes the output shaftcomponent 338 fixedly attached to the output shaft 334 such that theoutput shaft component 338 rotates or is driven by the output shaft 334of the motor apparatus 330.

Motor coupling apparatus 332 also includes a selective motor coupling336 which, in one embodiment, may be used to selectively engage theoutput shaft component 338 with the drive shaft 324. In particular, theselective motor coupling 336 is fixedly attached to the drive shaft 324and can be selectively coupled to the output shaft component 338 or viceversa. When the selective motor coupling 336 couples the drive shaft 324and the output shaft component 338, the motor apparatus 330 can be usedto rotate the driveshaft 324 about shaft axis 321. When the selectivemotor coupling 336 does not couple the drive shaft 324 and the outputshaft component 338, the motor apparatus 330 cannot be used to rotatethe driveshaft 324 about shaft axis 321. For example, in one or moreembodiments the selective motor coupling 336 may be in the form of amagnetic clutch electric clutch, mechanical clutch, fluid clutch, pinnedjoint, other type of mechanical release, etc.

The illustrative drive system 320 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 alsoincludes a hand crank gear 340 fixedly attached to the drive shaft 324such that rotation of the hand crank gear 340 about the drive shaft axis321 rotates the drive shaft 324 and vice versa.

In addition, the drive system 320 also includes a hand crank apparatus350 selectively coupled to a drive gear 354 through a hand crank shaft356 and a hand crank coupling apparatus 358. In particular, the handcrank coupling apparatus 358 may be used to selectively couple ordecouple the hand crank shaft 356 and the drive gear 354. When the handcrank coupling apparatus 358 couples the hand crank shaft 356 and thedrive gear 354, rotation of the hand crank shaft 356 causescorresponding rotation of the drive gear 354 about the hand crank axis351. In such a manual configuration in which the hand crank 352 of thehand crank apparatus 350 rotates about the hand crank axis 351 to rotatethe drive gear 354, the drive gear 354 rotates the hand crank gear 340,the drive shaft 324, and the linkage driver 322 to manually open orclose a movable sash in a window as described herein.

Conversely, when the hand crank coupling apparatus 358 does not couplethe hand crank shaft 356 and the drive gear 354, rotation of the handcrank shaft 356 does not cause any corresponding rotation of the drivegear 354 about the hand crank axis 351. In that situation, the handcrank coupling apparatus 358 may be described as being in a motorizedconfiguration. In such a configuration, the drive gear 354 may rotateindependently of the hand crank shaft 356 because the hand crank shaft356 and the drive gear 354 are not coupled with each other. In such amotorized configuration, the motor apparatus 330 may be coupled to thedrive shaft as described herein and cause rotation of the hand crankgear 340, with corresponding rotation of the drive gear 354. Because,however, the drive gear 354 is not coupled to the hand crank shaft 356rotation of the crank 352 of the hand crank apparatus 350 does notoccur. For example, in one or more embodiments the hand crank couplingapparatus 358 may be in the form of a magnetic clutch, mechanicalrelease, spring pin, electric clutch, etc.

In one or more embodiments of the illustrative embodiment of drivesystem 320, the drive system 320 may include an interlock switch 360operably connected to the selective motor coupling 336 of the motorcoupling apparatus 332, with the interlock switch 360 causing the outputshaft 334 of the motor apparatus 330 to couple with the drive shaft 324through the selective motor coupling 336 and the output shaft component338 only when the hand crank apparatus 350 is in the manualconfiguration (see, e.g., FIG. 8 ) such that the interlock switch 360 istripped or triggered to indicate that the hand crank apparatus 350 is inthe manual configuration. In one or more embodiments, the interlockswitch 360 may be in the form of e.g. a mechanical switch (e.g., aplunger activated switch, etc.), a proximity switch (e.g., a Hall effectsensor, magnetoresistive, inductive, capacitive, photoelectric,ultrasonic, magnetic reed switch, etc.).

In particular, the position of hand crank 352 of the hand crankapparatus 350 relative to the interlock switch 360 is used in thedepicted illustrative embodiment to trip or trigger the interlock switch360 and provide an indication to the selective motor coupling 336 thatthe hand crank apparatus 350 is in the motorized configuration such thatcoupling between the motor apparatus 330 and the drive shaft 324 can beeffected. When the position of the hand crank 352 of the hand crankapparatus 350 is in the motorized configuration, the interlock switch360 may also provide an indication to the hand crank coupling apparatus358 such that the hand crank shaft 356 is not coupled to the drive gear354 when the motor apparatus 330 is coupled to the drive shaft 324.

If the hand crank 352 of the hand crank apparatus 350 is not in aposition to trip or trigger the interlock switch 360, i.e., is in amanual configuration as seen in, e.g., FIG. 7 , then selective motorcoupling 336 does not couple the output shaft component 338 with thedrive shaft 324, but the hand crank coupling apparatus 358 does couplethe hand crank shaft 356 with the drive gear 354 to allow for manualoperation of a window using hand crank 352 of hand crank apparatus 350.

In one or more embodiments, movement of the hand crank apparatus 350from the manual configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 7 ) to the motorizedconfiguration (see, e.g., FIG. 8 ) includes rotating the hand crank 352about a configuration axis 361 which, in the views seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, extends into the sheet on which FIGS. 7 and 8 are provided. In one ormore embodiments, the configuration axis 361 may be generally transverseto the hand crank axis 351, although such an arrangement is notrequired.

A portion of yet another alternative illustrative embodiment of a drivesystem 420 is depicted in FIG. 9 . The illustrative embodiment of drivesystem 420 includes a number of components in common with the otherillustrative embodiments of drive systems described above. For example,the drive system 420 includes a linkage driver 422 fixedly mounted on adrive shaft 424 for rotation about a shaft axis 421.

The drive system 420 also includes a motor apparatus 430 having anoutput shaft 434 along with an output shaft component 438 that isfixedly connected to the output shaft 434 of the motor apparatus 430such that rotation of the output shaft 434 results in rotation of theoutput shaft component 438. In the depicted embodiment, the output shaft434 is aligned with the drive shaft 424 and also rotates about the shaftaxis 421, although as described herein, such an arrangement between theoutput shaft 434 and the drive shaft 424 is not required in drivesystems as described herein.

This illustrative embodiment of drive system 420 also includes a motorcoupling apparatus 432 configured to selectively couple or decouple theoutput shaft 434 and the drive shaft 424 (where the drive shaft 424rotates or can be driven by the output shaft 434 when the output shaft434 and the drive shaft 424 are coupled by the motor coupling apparatus432). In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the motor couplingapparatus 432 includes an output shaft component 438 fixedly attached tothe output shaft 434 such that the output shaft component 438 rotates oris driven by the output shaft 434 of the motor apparatus 430.

Motor coupling apparatus 432 also includes a selective motor coupling436 which may be used to selectively engage the output shaft 434 withthe drive shaft 424. In particular, the selective motor coupling 436 isfixedly attached to the drive shaft 424 and can be selectively coupledto the output shaft component 438 or vice versa. When the selectivemotor coupling 436 couples the drive shaft 424 and the output shaftcomponent 438, the motor apparatus 430 can be used to rotate thedriveshaft 424 about shaft axis 421. When the selective motor coupling436 does not couple the drive shaft 424 and the output shaft component438, the motor apparatus 430 cannot be used to rotate the driveshaft 424about shaft axis 421. For example, in one or more embodiments theselective motor coupling 436 may be in the form of a magnetic clutch,electric clutch, mechanical clutch, fluid clutch, pinned joint, othertype of mechanical release, etc.

The illustrative drive system 420 depicted in FIG. 9 also includes ahand crank gear 440 fixedly attached to the drive shaft 424 such thatrotation of the hand crank gear 440 about the drive shaft axis 421rotates the drive shaft 424 and vice versa.

In addition, the illustrative drive system 420 also includes a handcrank apparatus 450 coupled to drive gear 454 through a hand crank shaft456. Rotation of the hand crank 452 of the hand crank apparatus 450causes rotation of the hand crank shaft 456 and drive gear 454. Rotationof the drive gear 454 causes corresponding rotation of the hand crankgear 440, the drive shaft 424, and the linkage driver 422 to manuallyopen or close a movable sash in a window as described herein.

The hand crank apparatus 450 is movable between a manual configurationand a motorized configuration. In the manual configuration, the handcrank 452 is deployed as seen in FIG. 9 and ready to be used to rotatehand crank shaft 456 and drive gear 454 to rotate hand crank gear 440,drive shaft 424, and linkage driver 422 for manual opening and closingof a movable sash of a window as described herein.

In the motorized configuration, the hand crank 452′ (depicted in brokenlines in FIG. 9 ) is positioned to trigger or trip an interlock switch460. The interlock switch 460 is operably connected to the selectivemotor coupling 436 of the motor coupling apparatus 432, with theinterlock switch 460 causing the output shaft 434 of the motor apparatus430 to couple with the drive shaft 424 through the selective motorcoupling 436 and the output shaft component 438 only when the hand crankapparatus 450 is in the manual configuration such that the interlockswitch 460 is tripped or triggered to indicate that the hand crankapparatus 450 is in the manual configuration. In one or moreembodiments, the interlock switch 460 may be in the form of e.g. amechanical switch (e.g., a plunger activated switch, etc.), a proximityswitch (e.g., a Hall effect sensor, magnetoresistive, inductive,capacitive, photoelectric, ultrasonic, magnetic reed switch, etc.). Ifthe hand crank 452′ of the hand crank apparatus 450 does not trip ortrigger the interlock switch 460, then selective motor coupling 436cannot couple the output shaft component 438 with the drive shaft 424 asdescribed herein.

In one or more embodiments, movement of the hand crank apparatus 450from the manual configuration to the motorized configuration includesrotating the hand crank 452 about a configuration axis 461 which, inFIG. 9 , extends into the sheet on which FIG. 9 is provided. In one ormore embodiments, the configuration axis 461 may be generally transverseto the hand crank axis 451, although such an arrangement is notrequired.

Although positioning of the hand crank 452′ in the motorizedconfiguration in which interlock switch 460 is tripped or triggeredcauses the selective motor coupling 436 to couple the output shaft 434of the motor apparatus 430 with the drive shaft 424, it does notdecouple the hand crank 452′ from the hand crank shaft 456, drive gear454 or hand crank gear 440. As a result, the hand crank 452′ will rotateabout the hand crank axis 451 when the motor apparatus 430 is actuatedto rotate the driveshaft 424. In one or more embodiments, the hand crank452′ may be located within a housing such that interference with itsrotation about the hand crank axis 451 while the motor apparatus 430operates can be avoided.

Although depicted as aligned along the various drive shaft axes in thedepicted illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that somecomponents of the drive systems described herein may not necessarily beaxially aligned along the drive shaft axis in all embodiments of theinvention. For example, the motors, motor coupling apparatus, driveshaft components, hand crank coupling apparatus, etc. may or may not bearranged axially as depicted in the illustrative embodiments describedherein.

One or more of the illustrative embodiments of the drive systemsdescribed herein may include selective couplings to selectively coupleand decouple components in the drive systems. As described herein, theselective couplings may be operably connected to one or more othercomponents in one or more of the drive systems, e.g., a motor apparatus,interlock switch, etc. Such operable connections may, in one or moreembodiments, be made using one or more control units that may beintegrated into the drive systems described herein.

One illustrative embodiment of a control unit 590 that may be used inone or more embodiments of a drive system as described herein isdepicted in FIG. 10 . The control unit 590 may be provided in anysuitable form and may, for example, include a power supply (in the formof one or more of, e.g., AC line power, battery and/or solar,capacitive, etc.), memory and a controller. The controller may, forexample, be in the form of one or more microprocessors,Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), Digital Signal Processors (DSP),microcontrollers, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) statemachines, etc. The control units may include one or more of any suitableinput devices configured to allow a user to operate the drive system(e.g., keyboards, touchscreens, mice, trackballs, buttons, etc.), aswell as display devices configured to convey information to a user(e.g., LCD displays, monitors, indicator lights, audible devices (e.g.,speakers, buzzers, sirens, etc.) etc.).

In the depicted embodiment, the control unit 590 is connected to variouscomponents that may be found in one or more of the drive systemsdescribed herein. As depicted in FIG. 10 , the control unit 590 isoperably connected to a motor apparatus 530, a selective motor coupling536, selective crank coupling 546, and interlock switch 560. One or moreof these components are described herein in connection with variousillustrative embodiments of drive systems. Also depicted in FIG. 10 inconnection with the illustrative control system is a transceiver unit592 which may be used to transmit and/or receive control signals throughone or more of mechanical, hydraulic, wired and/or wireless connections(including any suitable electromagnetic signal, light, etc.). Suchcontrol signals may include signals used for operation of the drivesystems and/or signals meant to communicate a status of the drivesystems as well as, in one or more embodiments, control and/orcommunication of auxiliary hardware such as, e.g., window locks, sashlimiters, tilt-turn devices, etc. In one or more alternativeembodiments, the transceiver 592 may be configured for wireless controlunit using, e.g., a smart phone or other wireless control device throughany suitable wireless communication protocol (including, but not limitedto: Bluetooth, ZigBee, a wireless local area network (WLAN), WiFi, RF,etc.).

The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, andpublications identified herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety as if each were individually incorporated. To the extent thereis a conflict or discrepancy between this document and the disclosure inany such incorporated document, this document will control.

Illustrative embodiments of drive systems and hinged window assembliesincorporating the drive systems are discussed herein with some possiblevariations described. These and other variations and modifications inthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, and it should be understoodthat this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments setforth herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by theclaims provided below and equivalents thereof. It should also beunderstood that this invention also may be suitably practiced in theabsence of any element not specifically disclosed as necessary herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hinged window assembly comprising: a movablesash attached to a window frame such that the movable sash can berotated to open and close the movable sash relative to the window frame;a linkage connected to the window frame and the movable sash; and adrive system operably connected to the linkage, wherein the drive systemand the linkage are configured to rotate the movable sash relative tothe window frame, wherein the drive system comprises: a linkage driverfixedly mounted on a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft defines adrive shaft axis extending along a length of the drive shaft, whereinrotating the drive shaft about the drive shaft axis rotates the linkagedriver about the shaft axis, and wherein rotation of the linkage driveroperates the linkage such that the movable sash rotates relative to thewindow frame; a motor apparatus comprising an output shaft; a motorcoupling apparatus operably connected to the drive shaft and the outputshaft, wherein the motor coupling apparatus is configured to selectivelycouple or decouple the output shaft and the drive shaft; a hand crankcoupling apparatus operably connected to a hand crank gear, whereinrotation of the hand crank gear about the drive shaft axis rotates thedrive shaft when the hand crank coupling apparatus is in a manualconfiguration in which the hand crank gear is operably connected to thedrive shaft; a hand crank apparatus configured to rotate about a crankaxis which is angled relative to the drive shaft axis, and whereinrotation of the hand crank apparatus about the crank axis rotates thehand crank gear about the drive shaft axis when the hand crank apparatusengages the hand crank gear; and a selector mechanism configured to movethe hand crank gear in translation along the drive shaft axis toselectively engage the hand crank apparatus with the hand crank gearwhen the hand crank coupling apparatus is in the manual configuration,wherein the selector mechanism also selectively couples and decouplesthe output shaft and the drive shaft, wherein the hand crank couplingapparatus is in the manual configuration when the output shaft isdecoupled from the drive shaft.
 2. A hinged window assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the hand crank coupling apparatus includes a motorizedconfiguration in which the hand crank gear is disconnected from the handcrank apparatus.
 3. A hinged window assembly according to claim 2,wherein the motor coupling apparatus comprises a drive shaft componentconnected to the drive shaft and an output shaft component fixedlyconnected to the output shaft of the motor apparatus, wherein theselector mechanism is configured to move the drive shaft component intranslation along the drive shaft axis when moving the hand crankcoupling apparatus between the motorized configuration and the manualconfiguration, wherein the drive shaft component engages the outputshaft component when the hand crank coupling apparatus is in themotorized configuration.
 4. A hinged window assembly according to claim1, wherein the hand crank gear comprises a bevel gear and wherein thehand crank apparatus comprises a driven bevel gear operably connected toa hand crank lever.
 5. A hinged window assembly according to claim 1,wherein the linkage driver comprises a worm gear.
 6. A hinged windowassembly according to claim 1, wherein the linkage driver comprises alead screw.
 7. A hinged window assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe motor coupling apparatus comprises a drive shaft component connectedto the drive shaft and an output shaft component fixedly connected tothe output shaft of the motor apparatus, wherein the selector mechanismis configured to move the drive shaft component in translation along thedrive shaft axis when moving the hand crank gear in translation alongthe drive shaft axis.
 8. A hinged window assembly according to claim 1,wherein the hand crank apparatus comprises a hand crank operablyconnected to a drive gear, wherein rotation of the hand crank about thecrank axis rotates the drive gear about the crank axis, and wherein thedrive gear engages the hand crank gear when the hand crank couplingapparatus is in the manual configuration.
 9. A hinged window assemblycomprising: a movable sash attached to a window frame such that themovable sash can be rotated to open and close the movable sash relativeto the window frame; a linkage connected to the window frame and themovable sash; and a drive system operably connected to the linkage,wherein the drive system and the linkage are configured to rotate themovable sash relative to the window frame, wherein the drive systemcomprises: a linkage driver fixedly mounted on a drive shaft, whereinthe drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis extending along a length ofthe drive shaft, wherein rotating the drive shaft about the drive shaftaxis rotates the linkage driver about the shaft axis, and whereinrotation of the linkage driver operates the linkage such that themovable sash rotates relative to the window frame; a motor apparatuscomprising an output shaft; a motor coupling apparatus operablyconnected to the drive shaft and the output shaft, wherein the motorcoupling apparatus is configured to selectively couple or decouple theoutput shaft and the drive shaft; a hand crank gear operably coupled tothe drive shaft; a hand crank apparatus comprising a hand crank and adrive gear configured to rotate about a crank axis which is angledrelative to the drive shaft axis, wherein rotation of the hand crankabout the crank axis rotates the drive gear about the crank axis, andwherein rotation of the drive gear about the crank axis rotates the handcrank gear and the drive shaft about the drive shaft axis when the drivegear engages the hand crank gear; and a selector mechanism configured tomove the hand crank gear in translation along the drive shaft axis toselectively engage and disengage the hand crank gear and the drive gear,wherein the selector mechanism also selectively couples and decouplesthe output shaft and the drive shaft, wherein the hand crank gear isengaged with the drive gear when the output shaft is decoupled from thedrive shaft.
 10. A hinged window assembly according to claim 9, whereinthe motor coupling apparatus comprises a drive shaft component connectedto the drive shaft and an output shaft component fixedly connected tothe output shaft of the motor apparatus, wherein the selector mechanismis configured to move the drive shaft component in translation along thedrive shaft axis when moving the hand crank gear in translation alongthe drive shaft axis, wherein the drive shaft component engages theoutput shaft component when the hand crank gear is disengaged from thedrive gear of the hand crank apparatus.
 11. A hinged window assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein the hand crank gear comprises a bevel gearand the drive gear comprises a bevel gear.
 12. A hinged window assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein the linkage driver comprises a worm gear.13. A hinged window assembly according to claim 9, wherein the linkagedriver comprises a lead screw.